Jaguars play in Jacksonville 2026, with partial stadium renovations. Fans win, though capacity shrinks. A preview of the future stadium experience unfolds.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will remain in Jacksonville for the 2026 season, despite ongoing construction at EverBank Stadium in preparation for what team officials are calling the Stadium of the Future, the Jaguars announced Tuesday.
Fans who raised concerns about the team spending significant time away from the city won a partial victory: only the 2027 season will be played entirely on the road, rather than the two consecutive seasons originally proposed.
"We heard loud and clear from our fans who said two seasons away from Jacksonville was too many," Jaguars president Mark Lamping said in a statement Tuesday. "We expect demand for tickets to outstrip supply in 2026."
Construction on the Stadium of the Future began immediately after the 2025 season, focusing on both the exterior and in-bowl renovations. Key projects include steel trusses for a canopy structure; expansion of the main concourse; and in-bowl demolition to make way for upper-bowl renovations, corner fan decks, and field-level seating. The northwest quadrant’s Grand Staircase Two is expected to be completed early next season.
As a result of the ongoing work, the stadium’s capacity next season will be reduced to 42,507, including 1,260 standing-room-only tickets. An estimated 27,630 seats will be out of commission, mostly in the upper bowl, but also affecting numerous other sections, including some north and south end-zone rows and the north end-zone spa deck and Sky Patio. Affected season-ticket holders will be offered alternative relocation and pricing options.
The reduced capacity aligns with an NFL schedule adjustment: the Jaguars’ required international game, which would have been scheduled for 2027, will now occur in 2026. Combined with the team’s annual London matchup, the Jaguars will play back-to-back games overseas -- one at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the other at Wembley Stadium. This double-London slate provides a two-week construction window while also allowing the team to schedule an additional home game in the Stadium of the Future at full capacity.
The Jaguars’ 2026 home slate will include eight games at EverBank Stadium, counting two in the preseason and the two London trips. Opponents include AFC South rivals the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
The NFL is expected to release team schedules in mid-May after reviewing club requests.
The changes come as the Jaguars prepare to transition into a next-generation venue in 2028, balancing ongoing construction with fan demands to stay in Jacksonville. The 2026 season will be the first test of the temporary, reduced-capacity configuration, offering a preview of the Stadium of the Future’s eventual amenities.
ㅤ
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!